In my brief research, it seems that the best type of camera to bring out colors (making them truer to life when converted to a computer) is a DSLR camera. Though maybe I don't need to make quite the hefty investment for what I'm doing if I had more know-how...

Basically, I need a camera that will take quality pictures of oriental rugs and antique furniture...for the rugs, I was especially concerned about how the colors might be tainted a bit and not translate well to a computer...

mikey287 wrote:I'm sorry, can I sneak a quick camera question in here too?

In my brief research, it seems that the best type of camera to bring out colors (making them truer to life when converted to a computer) is a DSLR camera. Though maybe I don't need to make quite the hefty investment for what I'm doing if I had more know-how...

Basically, I need a camera that will take quality pictures of oriental rugs and antique furniture...for the rugs, I was especially concerned about how the colors might be tainted a bit and not translate well to a computer...

Too broad? Too specific? Any tips? Will basically anything work?

[best Sgt. Schultz impression here]

if your priority is bringing out vibrant color, but keeping it natural (not pumped in with post processing), i think your concern is lighting rather than equipment. with a DSLR, you have more flash options, and can use things like light diffusers to make things look more natural, so maybe it's worth getting one.

My wife wants a new digital camera for xmas. The main feature she is looking for is something that takes fast pictures. Our last camera, it would take a few seconds for the picture to take once you hit the button. In addition, it would take a few seconds to load the picture after it was taken, so to get 2 quick pictures in a row was impossible. With a 17 month old running around, being able to take fast pictures is imperative. Any advice as to what I should be looking for?

mikey287 wrote:I'm sorry, can I sneak a quick camera question in here too?

In my brief research, it seems that the best type of camera to bring out colors (making them truer to life when converted to a computer) is a DSLR camera. Though maybe I don't need to make quite the hefty investment for what I'm doing if I had more know-how...

Basically, I need a camera that will take quality pictures of oriental rugs and antique furniture...for the rugs, I was especially concerned about how the colors might be tainted a bit and not translate well to a computer...

Too broad? Too specific? Any tips? Will basically anything work?

[best Sgt. Schultz impression here]

if your priority is bringing out vibrant color, but keeping it natural (not pumped in with post processing), i think your concern is lighting rather than equipment. with a DSLR, you have more flash options, and can use things like light diffusers to make things look more natural, so maybe it's worth getting one.

Well my fiancee's mother bought us a T3 as an early christmas gift. Got us an 18/55 and a 75/300 lens with it. And uh, how in the hell-o do you use this thing? My pictures that I'm taking dont look any better than a point and shoot. I hope its not the T3. I wanted the T3i but since she bought it my fiancee will be all offended if we return it.

mac5155 wrote:I figured. I was just shooting on full auto and messing around with it. Should I read the user manual or a different book? or both?

i think it's pretty common for people to buy a DSLR and wonder why their pictures haven't improved. a few tips...

-don't shoot in auto. if you shoot in auto, all you have is a chunky point and shoot with a big zoom lens. to start with, i'd shoot in aperature priority and generally move it down to f3.2 or lower (though many lenses won't go this low - they'll stop at f5 or something), just to see what it does to your shots.

-even with the best cameras, in certain situations, your pictures are going to look really bland - like if the sun is directly overhead or you're inside using the little pop up flash. you'll figure out how to punch up these shots over time, so don't worry if a lot of your pictures are mediocre to start with.

-if you want a confidence builder, go outside at about 3 or 4pm - when the sun is going down and it's at like a 30 degree angle or something. get your fiance or whoever to stand with the sun hitting them in the face. if you have a long zoom lens, like 200mm, use that and set the aperature as wide as it goes (probably around f5.6 with entry level lenses), set the camera in aperature priority, get tight in on her face, and shoot away. you'll have an awesome portrait that you couldn't achieve with a point and shoot.